If you work in an office, chances are pretty big that you or the person sitting next to you always has his or her say about the climate. It is always too hot or too cold, the temperature is never set on a proper degree. No one likes to put on a few extra shirts on a summer’s day to beat the air conditioning. Or having to rip layers in winter to compensate for stifling heat indoors.

According to the journal Nature Climate Change, this scenario with the temperature never set right, is more likely if you’re a woman. Climate control systems in offices are often set according to old standards based on the thermal comfort of men.

Top4's insight:

As a women, when you complain a lot about the temperature at the office, you can now give a full argumentation instead of being yelled at.

Access the latest air conditioning news, trends, product developments and all aspects of the Australian Air Conditioning industry from experts, trade professionals, manufacturers and associations on Top4 News.

Solar-concentrating thermal technology is being used to power the air-conditioning system of an entire shopping center in Australia solely from the rays of the sun. With around 60 percent of all energy used in shopping centers being consumed by heating and cooling needs, the new system could lead the way to significant power and cost savings in a range of large commercial spaces.

Summer is here, which means for many of us, thoughts are turning to air conditioning. Let’s face it—central air conditioning will change your life. No more sweaty nights tossing and turning because you haven’t installed the window units yet. For that matter, no more installing the window units—or bashing your knuckles carrying them up and down the basement stairs each spring and fall..

Running the air conditioning can make an electricity bill skyrocket, but the alternative isn't very pretty, either. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can help your air conditioner run better and save you money as the summer months progress.

Servicing your car is an accepted part of keeping it running efficiently. But how many people regularly service their air conditioning systems?

Not only could a regular service be part of the warranty conditions, but it could also pick up any minor issues before they become a major problem, and can return a poor performing system to peak condition.

Recognising the special fire risks inherent in commercial kitchen ventilation systems, the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has released a special safety bulletin for industry.

There has been $30 million in damages in just five incidents of businesses burning down in 2014.

The C, or "common" wire can make -- or break -- your thermostat installation. Here's what you need to know.

In a New York Times article published yesterday, writer Nick Bilton discusses a software glitch that caused his Nest Learning Thermostats to stop working.

As Bilton describes it, "Although I had set the thermostat to 70 degrees overnight, my wife and I were woken by a crying baby at 4 a.m. The thermometer in his room read 64 degrees, and the Nest was off." Additional customers noted similar problems through Nest's online forum.

The Google-owned company claims to have addressed the issue by pushing out a firmware update to "all Nest Thermostats that were affected," but Bilton (and likely others) had already sworn off their Wi-Fi thermostats by then.

Putting your thermostat in the wrong place can raise your utility costs. Proper thermostat placement can make your heating and cooling more energy efficient while still keeping you comfortable.

The most important thing about thermostat placement is to avoid areas that can have temperature extremes. Don't install your thermostat near doors that may let in drafts, windows that may shine hot rays of sun onto the thermostat or near a bathroom door that may let hot steam settle around the thermostat.

Exterior walls are also a no-go because they are often cooler than other walls in the home. The thermostat will think that this unusually cold or hot area represents the rest of the home and will kick on to cool or heat when it really doesn't need to.

Homes were once a safe haven from the serious health impact of outdoor air pollution. Due to sudden climate changes, however, the quality of the air indoors quickly became poorer than the air outside. Despite several alarming reports, many homeowners are still not fully aware that the level of pollutants found inside a home may cause harm. This is the reason you should not wait until the next morning to learn how to effectively reduce, if not eliminate, indoor air pollution.

The negative impact of poor indoor air quality may not just affect your health, but also your productivity and perception of comfort. If you’re striving to keep the air healthy in your home, it’s important that you know how.

The Excellent Distribution of Air - One key factor that affects indoor air quality is air distribution. If there’s only too little outdoor air inside a home, contaminants may build up that cause comfort and health problems. This is where a high quality air conditioner comes in handy.

Space conditioning, or heating and cooling, accounts for an average of 40 per cent of household energy use in Australia and 33% in New Zealand.

Currently, air conditioners, building chillers and close control air conditioners have energy efficiency requirements under the E3 Program. The energy efficiency requirements for air conditioners and chillers are currently under review. To find out more about MEPS for these products check the relevant Australian GEMS determination or the New Zealand Regulations

Household air conditioners (excluding ducted products) must carry an Energy Rating Label. The energy label found on gas space heaters is not overseen or administered by the E3 program.

Have you been looking for something to cool you off during summer without the expense of an actual air conditioning unit? This guy shows us a way to use a bucket and some ice to cool down an entire room.

Top4's insight:

Always wanted an air conditioning system in your house during the hot summers? But it was always too expensive? See the video for the instructions on how to make a system that actually works and which is not expensive.

If you work in an office, chances are pretty big that you or the person sitting next to you always has his or her say about the climate. It is always too hot or too cold, the temperature is never set on a proper degree. No one likes to put on a few extra shirts on a summer’s day to beat the air conditioning. Or having to rip layers in winter to compensate for stifling heat indoors.

According to the journal Nature Climate Change, this scenario with the temperature never set right, is more likely if you’re a woman. Climate control systems in offices are often set according to old standards based on the thermal comfort of men.

Top4's insight:

As a women, when you complain a lot about the temperature at the office, you can now give a full argumentation instead of being yelled at.

Solar is moving out of the suburbs and into the commercial building sector with the promise of big cuts to HVACR costs. CCN profiles the world-first projects that are taking solar technology to the next level.

It is common knowledge that around 60 per cent of the energy used by Australia’s commercial property sector is directed to heating, ventilation and air conditioning, which is why solar technology is attracting so much attention.

If a customer's air conditioning system needs service, it might depending on its age be time to consider replacing it, rather than to throw good money after bad. Depending on the age, efficiency and condition of the air conditioning system, often time it makes better sense to invest the money they could spend repairing the old system into replacing it. Replacing the old AC will mean lower utility bills and improved home comfort.

As the world population increases and modern amenities become available to developing countries, the desires and needs of these emerging economies are logically changing. In particular, air conditioning and ventilation have become essential for both domestic and commercial use throughout the developing world. However, we understand that this sudden upsurge in cooling needs has both financial and environmental costs.

New solar heating and cooling technologies promise to deliver major reductions in energy costs and emissions, a recent HVAC industry workshop has heard.

Breakthroughs in technology were discussed at the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating’s 2016 Solar Heating and Cooling Workshop at the University of Melbourne last month.

Should Ipswich schools be fitted out with air-conditioning?DIVISION 3 candidate Danny Donohue's push to have council fund air-conditioning in Ipswich schools through a grants program is gaining momentum.

A school in South Australia will become the first in the state to tap geothermal energy to provide cheaper, renewable heating and cooling for its indoor pool facility.

St Peters College, in Adelaide, will have a geothermal energy system designed and installed by Sydney-based company, GeoExchange Australia, to heat its pool and provide air conditioning for the building housing the pool.

The system, also called a geoexchange, will access ground temperatures of 17°C through the installation of a Ground Heat Exchanger (GHX) beneath St Peters’ sports oval, which is located adjacent to the pool. This will consist of 45 boreholes drilled to a depth of 70 metres each.

Summer is finally upon us. Judging from the searing temperatures we experienced in spring, it’s safe to say this summer is going to be a hot one. Really hot. If you’re currently relying on standing fans and standing arms akimbo in front of your fridge to keep cool, you might want to consider investing in an air conditioner. Here are some tips to get you started.

Mitsubishi Electric have a few pointers on how to pick the right air conditioner for you. The first step is to decide how many rooms you need to cool. This will determine what type of cooling system will suit you best: split systems, wall mounted, floor mounted or ducted systems.

The air conditioning vendor also have several more tips to share:

Minimise noise - It’s also a good idea to find out about the noise levels of the system. Look for a low house level for the indoor unit – this is what you will hear (or ideally NOT hear!) when the system is operating.

Size matters - You wouldn’t want to get a system that is too small as it will either NOT cool the area and/or will be overworked and eventually run flat. Not ‘cool’!

How do you want it to look - Air conditioners also don’t just come in white anymore. They come in many shapes and sizes that will fit with the decor of any room.

The noise your air conditioning unit makes is a good indicator that there may be something wrong with its inner workings. You shouldn’t ignore it, whether it’s just subtle clanging or its revving up like a motorcycle.

Common air conditioning problems range from faulty fans to blocked air filters, and it can be difficult to tell which one your unit is experiencing until it breaks down. You can, however, diagnose what kind of problem your unit is experiencing if you listen carefully.

Humming and Rattling - An air conditioning unit hums ‘naturally’ due to the vibrations of the fan reverberating throughout its insides. But, there’s a difference between a light hum and a harsh hum, with the latter often being accompanied by a distinct rattling sound. If you hear this, then it’s either the fan is dirty or it’s loose.

Grinding Motors and Coil Fins - If the air conditioning unit is producing a very noticeable and often harsh grinding sound, then its motors may be low in lubricant. Most units have unsealed motors, and you can prevent it from overworking and overheating if you oil the motor when the temperature starts rising.

Dave Smith of Fujitsu General said ducted systems were an ideal whole-home solution, and provided flexibility over temperature control in different rooms. “In addition, ducted systems work seamlessly within the home’s interior decor, as air grilles can be integrated throughout the entire home for a ‘barely there’ finish,” he said.

Considering a ducted system? Romano Bolzon, Rinnai national sales and marketing manager, said evaporative systems were the best value and were generally half the cost to install and seven times cheaper to run compared with a refrigerated reverse-cycle system.

Australia's minister of Environment, Greg Hunt, has published the list of classes of products the Minister is proposing to consider, during the next financial year, for some form of accreditation or regulation under the Stewardship Act. Also the federal government has interfered with the case, they confirmed there are no plans for the introduction of accreditation or regulation relating to air conditioners and refrigerators during the next financial year.

Minister Hunt, has formally published the list which covered end-of-life air conditioners and refrigerators with small gas charges.

Top4's insight:

Each year the government must consider which products should be listed for product stewardship under the Product Stewardship Act.

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